A YouTuber tested a computer without a graphics card and shows that in the future, one may not necessarily need a graphics card. However, the alternative is not necessarily cheaper if the rumors are true.
Our title image is a symbolic image and does not show the prototype.
ETA Prime is a YouTuber who specializes in computer hardware. With his 1.28 million subscribers, he regularly reaches between 50,000 and 200,000 viewers. In a recent video, he showed that a PC without a dedicated graphics processor can, among other things, run Cyberpunk 2077 at maximum settings (Ultra).
A prototype of a new processor that was introduced at CES 2025
What kind of PC is it? ETA Prime had the opportunity to test a prototype equipped with a Strix Halo APU in his video. APUs are processors that have a graphics chip integrated. This chip then replaces the graphics card that would otherwise be installed in the computer. AMD introduced the novel processor at CES 2025, but the model is not yet available for purchase anywhere.
This new next-generation chip introduced at CES 2025 features up to 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units and a Zen 5 processor with 16 cores and 32 threads. This is at least comparable to a fast mid-range graphics card, but it cannot compete with high-end models. By the way, the architecture of the chip is quite similar to gaming consoles like the PS5 or the Xbox Series X.
What the YouTuber was able to test: ETA Prime now had the chance to test a prototype with this technology. And the result is quite impressive, as the entire mini-PC requires only 130 watts, which is very efficient. With its new RX 9070 series, AMD has already proven that it has worked significantly on the efficiency of the hardware.
To find out how powerful the prototype is, he tested several games with the system. All games were tested in WQHD (1440p):
- Cyberpunk 2077 runs in Ultra (highest settings) at 58 FPS and exceeds 60 FPS at high settings
- Marvel Rivals averages 65 FPS at high settings
- Grand Theft Auto V (Enhanced Edition) achieves nearly 90 FPS at very high settings.
An alternative to graphics cards, if the price is right in the end
Is this an alternative to a gaming PC? The performance is already impressive for the prototype and can compete with mid-range graphics cards. However, the biggest problem may be the price. According to rumors reported by TomsHardware, the prices for the chip and the motherboard are expected to be over $2,000.
The provider Framework, which mainly sells modular notebooks, has set its price for a motherboard with the chip at 1279 euros. This was reported by Heise.de.
What does one currently pay for mid-range? Currently, one pays about 1,000 euros for a gaming PC with a mid-range graphics card, which is about half of that. For many players, the innovative “Strix Halo APU” may initially not be a cost-effective alternative to the expensive graphics cards.
Furthermore, it is unclear how the supply situation will be at the release of the chip. A problem that anyone who has tried to buy a graphics card directly at release in the past few months knows well. Because either the graphics cards are not available or only available from scalpers at double the price. However, some scalpers have had bad luck with the last generation of graphics cards: Scalpers are desperately trying to sell RTX 4080 at a high price – now stuck with them because retailers do not want to take back the graphics cards
